A private nursing home which was criticised by inspectors last year is to close.
Operators Bupa said they have taken the "reluctant" decision to shut the Pentland Hill Care Home in Edinburgh's Gylemuir Road.
The Care Inspectorate issued an improvement notice in 2013 after inspectors reported serious concerns during an unannounced visit to the premises. Inspectors demanded speedy and significant changes, and the home was warned it faced closure unless standards were raised.
Care inspectors subsequently noted some positive changes in recent months but the improvement notice and a block on admissions remained in force.
In January, police investigating four deaths at the care home submitted a report to the procurator fiscal.
Announcing the closure, the operator spoke of "significant improvements" recently made at the home but said it had faced challenges finding enough qualified nurses.
A spokesman for the home said: "We have made the reluctant decision to close the home.
"Our residents, their families, and inspectors have recognised the significant improvements made to the home, and everyone was committed to investing the resources needed to continue this progress.
"However, recruiting experienced and qualified nurses continues to be a challenge due to the national shortage of nurses and, in particular, in Edinburgh. Without more of these experienced, qualified nurses it is not possible to take the care home to the level that we want it to reach - and maintain this in the long term."
The home will not close until all the residents have been helped to find new places to live.
The spokesman said: "We believe that it's in the best interests of residents to work in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council to carry out a phased, controlled, closure of Pentland Hill. We are speaking to the council to explore ways to reduce the impact on residents and safeguard their welfare.
"The home will not be closed until all residents have been found an appropriate new home."
Dr Robert Peat, director of inspection for the Care Inspectorate, said: "Every person is entitled to safe, high-quality care. Our inspection team identified serious concerns last year, and we recently reported on some limited improvements at the start of the year, but the pace of change has been frustratingly slow. We remain concerned that even where improvements have been made, they may not be sustained.
"We served Bupa with an improvement notice in January. This required them to give prescribed medicines to residents, provide sufficient food and fluids, train and monitor staff properly, and follow care plans correctly.
"We are currently mid-inspection, checking to see whether the necessary improvements have been made in time and met with Bupa on May 23 to share our initial findings and continued concerns around medicines and care plans.
"Now that Bupa intends to voluntarily close the home, we are working closely with the City of Edinburgh Council to find new homes for the current residents. The first priority is the safety and well-being of elderly residents, and we expect all parties to work closely together to minimise the disruption at this difficult time."
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/under-fire-nursing-home-close-173317261.html
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